ATU students educate Dwight students about the ConstitutionTHE COURIER / Submitted, ATU ATU students visit Dwight ATU students visited Dwight 1-4 graders Friday, Sept. 16, to teach them about the Constitution for Constitution Day. ATU students walk students through different activities to help them better understand the Constitution and its importance.

St John studies Native AmericansTHE COURIER / Submitted St. John studies Native Americans The 5th grade class at St. John Catholic School in Russellville presented their diorama projects as part of their study of Native American cultures.

Voice of Democracy Scholarship competition setCommander Frank Sears of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2283 Rogers-Rye announced the kick-off of the VFW's Voice of Democracy Scholarship competition. Local high school students have the oppurtunity to compete for scholarships and a trip to Washington D.C. Students must write and record a three- to five-minute essay on the theme "My Responsibility to America," for the Voice of Democracy Scholarship. They must present these at their local V...

Patriots Pen Competition announcedCommander Frank Sears of the VFW Post Rogers-Rye Post 2283 announced the kick-off of the VFW's annual Patriots Pen youth essay competition. Middle school students in grades 6-8 in the Arkansas River Valley have the oppurtunity to compete to win thousands of dollars in national awards. Students must write an essay about "The America I Believe In." Students begin by competing at local post level, then district, then state level. The first place ...

St. John attended Kidz FarmTHE COURIER / Submitted St. John at Kidz Farm The kindergarten and first-grade classes from St. John Catholic School in Russellville visited The Kidz Farm at the Pope County Fair.

Wanda Srygley FORT SMITH -- Wanda Jean Hannah Srygley came into the world on DecWanda Srygley FORT SMITH -- Wanda Jean Hannah Srygley came into the world on Dec. 30, 1926, and departed to join the Lord on Sept. 23, 2016. She devoted her long and full life to God, her family, and her many treasured friends. Wanda's enthusiasm for life was fueled by her fierce intelligence, sharp wit, and incredible generosity. She had an enduring love for her husband of 44 years, William "Bill" Srygley, that extended beyond his passing in ...

Why It Matters:WASHINGTON -- THE ISSUE: "Your Majesty" isn't in the American political lexicon. But when a president sets a major policy by edict, skirting Congress, it invariably sets off a debate that traces back to the time of kings and queens -- and the Founding Fathers who rejected the authority of the crown. Lawmakers cry foul when a president, especially of the other party, usurps their authority through executive action. Defenders say it can be the o...

United Way funding goal set for 2017River Valley United Way (RVUW) hopes to raise $600,000 for 2017 with increases for programs demonstrating growth and impact as well as covering administrative costs. RVUW operates on a two-year funding cycle, where nonprofit health and human service organizations apply for program funding and RVUW volunteers review those applications and decide where community donated funds will be invested. In 2015, volunteers allocated $432,000 to 26 program...

by
BY EMILY SRADER
newsclerk@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Eddy joins family businessPaul A. Eddy recently passed the Arkansas Bar Exam in July and has joined his father, David L. Eddy, and Jill M. Ward in the practice of law at 805 West 2nd Ct. in Russellville. Eddy is a 2009 graduate of Russellville High School with highest honors and a 2013 graduate of the Sam M. Walton School of Business at the University of Arkansas, where he graduated magna cum laude with a B.S.B.A. in accounting. He passed the Certified Public Accountan...

Bridge ResultsMonday Duplicate Bridge met on Sept 19. The first place North/South winners were Trieby Maul and Randy Reehm. Second place North/South winners were Bill Barton and Gordon Thornsberry. The first place East/West winners were Nancy Lassiter and Peggy Griffin. Second place East/West winners were Katherine Bowden and Joe Moore. The next game will be at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Oct 3 at the Russellville Senior Center. Anyone needing a partner can call Dou...

2nd annual Cuts for CancerATKINS — For the second year, two fifth-grade girls from Atkins will host Cuts for Cancer. The event first began last year when Kennady Hern, now 10, wanted to donate her hair. “I wanted to donate my hair for Brenda Caldwell, my babysitter,” she said. Kennady’s mother, Kim Hern, said Lily Terry, also 10, considered donating hair around the same time last year so they looked into the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program. “The girls wanted to turn ...

Cemetery database is up and runningOakland Cemetery Director Stephanie Warwick told commissioners during Tuesday's regular meeting that the new online software database cloud service for cemetery records is up and running. Grave Discover software is all web-based and is mobile-friendly, meaning Warwick could search on her iPad or cell phone at the cemetery instead of getting a name, then going to the cemetery to search for the person or plot. Google Maps will provide multiple m...

Unemployment rate unchanged at 3.9 percentLITTLE ROCK -- State officials say unemployment in Arkansas remained unchanged in August at 3.9 percent. The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services said Tuesday that unemployment in the state is one full percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.9 percent. Arkansas' nonfarm payroll employment rose 5,000 in August to about 1.2 million. Jobs in four major industry sectors increased, more than offsetting minor declines in six sectors....

Dover Housing Authority approves August records during board meetingHappiness and relief over the $13,698 in penalty abatement recently announced by the IRS was the main theme at the Sept. 15 meeting of the Dover Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. Metta Holman, executive director of the facility, had prepared letters of thanks for the board to sign thanking Senator John Boozman, Congressman Steve Womack, State Senator Greg Standridge and their staffs for their assistance in resolving the situation. The ...

by
BY STEVE LEAVELL
sleavell@cswnet.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley